Kitchen & Bath Business - May/June 2017 - 30

Before and After

DINING AREA

double wall ovens. So as not to interrupt the clean
look of the kitchen and its cabinetry, a drawer-style
microwave was chosen,and the team installed a panel
over the dishwasher.
"Interestingly, I preferred that some of the appliances were shown with their original stainless steel
fronts to accentuate the slight industrial feeling in
the room,"said McClain.
CABINET AND COUNTERTOP COMFORTS

A series of white Shaker custom cabinets provides ample storage for various needs, as well as a
timeless look and feel.The design team also incorporated upper glass cabinetry to display special items
and fill in what McClain calls the "always awkward
space above cabinets that do not extend to the ceiling." Carrara marble countertops and subway tiles
for the backsplash complete the clean and classic feel
the homeowner desired for his kitchen.
Because the client also wanted a larger island,the
design team enlarged it as much as they could without impeding traffic throughout the space, while
also adding more storage with dual-sided cabinetry.
They also installed a retractable, downdraft ventilation system in the island, and because it is only visible when in use, it tucks away when the client isn't
cooking for a clean and simple look.Three stainless
steel pendants were installed to anchor the unit.

SOLUTIONS TO CHALLENGES
ABOVE The island was

enlarged, and the new kitchen
plan opens up to a customdesigned banquette.

BELOW LEFT The butler's
pantry is not only functional
but also provides a beautiful
pathway leading from the
kitchen to the dining room.
Countertop, backsplash and
cabinetry styles are repeated
here from the kitchen.

SOURCES
DESIGNERS: John McClain

and Delene Smith, John
McClain Design
PHOTOGRAPHY: Stephen
Allen Photography

APPLIANCES: Thermador;
BACKSPLASH: Anatolia
Tile & Stone; BANQUETTE:

John McClain Design;
BAR STOOLS: Arteriors
Home; CHANDELIER:
Visual Comfort Lighting;
COUNTERTOPS: Mystic
Stone & Marble; DINING
TABLE: Restoration
Hardware; FLOORING:
AB Floors; PENDANTS:
Elk Lighting; PLUMBING
FIXTURES: Kohler

30

According to McClain, the project was quite extensive, and careful planning
was essential for a successful outcome. Challenges surfaced around the ventilation system, marrying the cabinetry with the ceiling and renovating while the
client still lived in the house.
"The island had no gas or ventilation line for the cooktop and surface ventilation system, so when we gutted the kitchen we were able to channel out a path
in the slab to install all of the functioning components to the island,"explained
the designer. "I knew that connecting the new ceiling design to the cabinetry
to create a cohesive look was essential, so the same woodworker who built the
cabinetry also built the coffered ceiling."
McClain and his client did extensive preplanning and included a signed
timeline,but the designer said there were still some unplanned issues that arose,
including difficulties with old pipes.
"They were copper, and because leaks were detected as the process begun,
we had to replace much of the plumbing surrounding the kitchen area," he
explained."Luckily - as this was a total gut job - we had opened up many of the
spaces that needed to be reworked."
In terms of renovating around the client, he and the design team carefully
coordinated days and weeks when he could use other rooms in the house for
meal prep instead of the kitchen.
HELPFUL LESSONS LEARNED

Tacking onto the challenge just mentioned,McClain said he would definitely
ask his clients to move out of the house during a future renovation.
"Seriously, it is such a long and challenging process that many clients cannot
comprehend until they live it," he explained. "I think the more warnings the
better when it comes to alerting clients as to what is to come."
He also added that he will continue to instruct his clients on the upkeep of
certain materials - even more extensively than he has already done.
"Cararra marble looks gorgeous when it is freshly installed, but unless you
are on top of the upkeep and vigilant in wiping any spills, it inevitably starts to
stain or show wear,"said McClain,adding that even though the client knew the
possible issues, he was insistent on keeping the marble.
McClain and his team recently had to repolish the countertops in this kitchen
after some inevitable spills - as he had suspected - but he said the client is still
very happy with the outcome.
"He wanted a timeless space,which is my mantra when designing any room,
and we feel this kitchen will look just as fresh in 10 years as it does today." 

Kitchen & Bath Business / MAY-JUNE 2017/ KBBONLINE.COM / The official publication of KBIS (KBIS.com)
http://www.KBBONLINE.COM http://www.KBIS.com
Kitchen & Bath Business - May/June 2017

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